consumers review the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen

Read recent reviews for the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen

4.3

Overall Consumer Review Rating
for the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen

Duly Impressed After a Sportwagen TDI

By PJBilotta written on 10-10-2016

As owners of a much beloved 2012 Jetta Sportwagen TDI, we thought long and hard about purchasing another VW. After evaluating many options, we decided on a new 2016 Golf Sportwagen TSI as our second vehicle, and as an eventual replacement of the TDI which was due to be returned. So, we were in the unusual position of driving the TDI and this new TSI Sportwagen at the same time in a real apples-to-apples comparison. We LOVED our TDI, but this new Golf Sportwagen simply slays it. A more responsive engine, superior transmission, smoother and quieter ride, more controlled handling and braking (didn't think we could get better than the TDI), better interior and exterior fit and finish, and a slightly higher seat position and more interior and storage space have already convinced us we made the right decision. I'm back to driving the TDI the past week as my wife is driving the new car, and it feels like a tank in comparison. It didn't hurt that we got an incredible deal on a 2016 year-end close-out. On the con side, the TSI has significantly less torque than the TDI, but we're surprised that the TSI actually has better acceleration. We've now been driving the new TSI Sportwagen for a year, and remain generally pleased. It is very comfortable and quiet for long trips, and equally adept and nimble in urban driving. The cargo space is cavernous, and significantly larger than most comparable small SUV's I've found I can actually carry more than several friends who own larger crossover vehicles. Towing capacity with an added hitch has also proven excellent. We effortlessly drove 1,500 miles this fall with a 1,600 lb teardrop trailer over mountainous western terrain, and we hardly noticed we were towing anything. We have also found the driver assist features - something we felt we had no need for - and excellent bonus. VW's adaptive cruise control, blind spot sensors, and rear collision avoidance and back up camera are all excellent features and perform very well. Our only complaint is that the blind spot warning lights on the side mirrors are quite small and the same orange color as the turn signal indicators, making them less visible than they should be. Our one disappointment so far is poor fuel efficiency, which is nowhere near the 28/37 we expected. The car barely approaches these figures in perfect driving conditions of consistent 35 mph city driving, and 65 mph highway driving using the adaptive cruise in Eco mode. In real city driving, we're averaging a disappointing 20-22 mpg, and only around 32-34 mpg on the highway, for a normal combined mileage around 24 mpg. This is the worst fuel efficiency of any of the five VW Jetta/Golf models we have owned in the past 20 years. This poor mileage, combined with the small 13-gallon tank, gets you an average range of only about 250 miles per tank - also the worst we have ever gotten from a VW. We're now at 11,000 miles, and we've seen no improvement. All-in-all, its a great vehicle and I think you'll be pleased with this new version of the Sportwagen compared to other options out there, but for the fuel efficiency.

Poor Quality

By tobyhatesmemes written on 10-22-2016

Great car if you're not worried about quality and reliability issues. I had to bring the car to the dealer for three separate repairs before I hit 10,000 miles. Twice for a leaking sunroof, and I've also had issues with vibration at highway speeds, window squeaks, and peeling paint on the rear bumper. Engine is alright, but the transmission is completely out of its element at speeds between 20 and 60 mph. If you keep it in drive, it will have you lugging the engine up a hill in 6th gear at 30 mph. On a positive note, the ride is excellent (when the car isn't vibrating), the interior is great, and the seats are comfortable.

A happy surprise

By Fred Stewart written on 10-19-2016

i came to the golf sport wagon because there are almost no other wagons offered. i am amazed how much i love this car! My 2003 BMW 3 series wagon with 260k miles needs 4 or 5 thousand worth of rehab (who wouldn't at this point?) . So I parked in the garage and covered it with quilts, a project for better times. I hope VW can survive the onslaught of law suits that are heading it's way, because I am truly a VW fan. It is very well designed and produced. I feel as good as when I bought my first pair of Uggs...That good! Really. I can think of no down side to this car and I got the cheap one, I cannot believe the amount of stuff I got standard. Check this car out by all means

So much car for the money!

By E R L written on 08-15-2016

I wanted a station wagon and I love love love my Golf Sportwagen! It drives like a well-powered Sedan, but has the space of a wagon. I like all of the space. The options that come with the Limited Edition model are such a good value. I really wanted navigation, but that was only option that the Limited edition didn't have and it was not worth the $ to go up to that trim. (Especially because you end up paying for some options at the higher trims, such as the safety package that you get in the Limited Edition trim.) The technology in the car is top notch and seems to far outweigh the price of the car. I think the only negative I can really think of is that the back seat doesn't have a ton of leg room. Ok for me at 5' 4", but tight for my husband at 6'. One other negative: I really wanted a manual transmission. Other than those details, the Sportwagen is a home run.

fun wagon with some quality issues

By Max Ruzanov written on 11-17-2016

Got this after my lease on Sportwagen TDI expired. Two major gripes about the car - automatic transmission is jerky when car slows down to about 30-20mph and right before stopping. As if it doesn't know what to do, downshifting gears abruptly. Unpleasant. Second - after about 5 months of driving it, noticed a sizable stain on the roof (moonroof) liner right where it meets rear tailgate. It has overtime became slightly less than a foot long and is as wide as the whole roof. Car is being taken care of right now by the dealer, who is doing great job keeping me updated on the progress. But it seems like serious manufacturing defect due to improper welding around moonroof. A smaller thing, but also annoying. When accelerating, if I press the pedal quickly nothing happens at all for the first half a second or so, then it suddenly jumps. There is a certain amount of lag and it seems to become more and more noticeable as I drive the car more. Everything else about the car is fantastic, I was able to hit 40 mpg on my way to work during 22 mile drive many times. Usually, if driven carefully, the car achieves 35mpg no problem. Very spacious and sporty at the same time. Interior quality is so much better than many Japanese cars and design is more subtle, minimalistic, just right for me.

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Buying a used Volkswagen Golf SportWagen in Chicago, IL

Save up to $0 on over 26 used Volkswagen Golf SportWagen's for sale across 1,543 dealers near Chicago, Illinois. Edmunds has over 4,682,332 cheap new and used car, truck, and SUV listings, available in the following submodel types: Station Wagon. The Volkswagen Golf SportWagen is available in model years ranging from 2019 to 1990, with prices ranging from 14,680 to 23,870 and mileage ranging from 0 to 61,516. Volkswagen Golf SportWagens in your area are available in the following trim types including (but not limited to) the following: TDI S, TSI SEL and TSI S 4Motion The nearest dealership is Volkwagen of Downtown Chicago, approximately 3.051 miles away with 69 used Volkswagen Golf SportWagen's in stock. The highest rated dealer in your area with a used Volkswagen Golf SportWagen for sale is Volkwagen of Downtown Chicago, with an average user rating of 5 and 69 used Volkswagen Golf SportWagen's in stock.

Options and features available on used Volkswagen Golf SportWagen's available near Chicago typically include:

Features: Alarm , Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel , Back-up camera , Bluetooth , Fold Flat Rear Seats , Post-collision safety system , Power Driver Seat , Rear Bench Seats , Stability Control , Tire Pressure Warning , Trip Computer , Keyless Entry/Start , Heated seats , Sunroof/Moonroof , USB Inputs , Aux Audio Inputs , Apple Carplay/Android Auto , Auto Climate Control , Multi-Zone Climate Control , Navigation , AWD/4WD , Adaptive Cruise Control , Blind Spot Monitoring , Lane Departure Warning , Pre-collision safety system , Upgraded Headlights .

Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders .

Transmission: Automatic , Automated Manual , Manual .

Fuel Type: regular unleaded , diesel .

Drivetrain: front wheel drive , all wheel drive .

Edmunds offers users detailed expert ratings and reviews, pricing, consumer reviews, features and specs, interior and exterior vehicle pictures and videos, as well as special offers, gas cards, and other perks. Find your perfect used Volkswagen Golf SportWagen at edmunds.com.

Used Volkswagen Golf SportWagen for Sale in Chicago, IL

$15,898^*

$15,126^*

$21,991^*

$17,719^*

$18,991^*

Not Listed

$17,995^*

$16,980^*

Not Listed

$17,980^*

Not Listed

$21,995^*

$19,995^*

$17,929^*

$19,991^*

$18,991^*

Not Listed

$21,980^*

consumers review the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen

consumers review the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen

Buying a used Volkswagen Golf SportWagen in Chicago, IL

More Used Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Vehicles in Chicago, IL

Used Volkswagen Golf SportWagen for Sale in Chicago, IL

$15,898*

$15,126*

$21,991*

$17,719*

$18,991*

Not Listed

$17,995*

$16,980*

Not Listed

$17,980*

Not Listed

$21,995*

$19,995*

$17,929*

$19,991*

$18,991*

Not Listed

$21,980*

consumers review the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen

consumers review the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen

Buying a used Volkswagen Golf SportWagen in Chicago, IL

More Used Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Vehicles in Chicago, IL

$15,898^*

$15,126^*

$21,991^*

$17,719^*

$18,991^*

$17,995^*

$16,980^*

$17,980^*

$21,995^*

$19,995^*

$17,929^*

$19,991^*

$18,991^*

$21,980^*